Jones hopes Brave Blossoms can leave Japan for RWC in style

TOKYO (Aug. 28) – Eddie Jones has named the Japan side to take on Uruguay on Saturday, the Brave Blossoms’ final game in Japan before they fly to England for Rugby World Cup 2015.

There are eight changes to the team that beat the same opponents 30-8 in Fukuoka last week as Jones looks to give fans in Japan a taste of the rugby he hopes the Brave Blossoms will play in Pool B at the World Cup.

“Uruguay is our last game in Tokyo and we are very excited to play in front of our devoted fans,” Jones said. “We really want to show them that we are moving in the right direction to create history at the World Cup.”

“In terms of selection we’ve probably picked one of our strongest squads for this season,” Jones said. “In terms of the forward pack, we’ve got (Kensuke) Hatakeyama returning as a starting member and Luke (Thompson). They are both very important players for us.”

Hatakeyama packs down alongside Masataka Mikami and Shota Horie with Thompson and Hiroshi Ono behind them in the second row.

Michael Broadhurst is handed the No. 7 jersey and forms an abrasive and mobile back row alongside captain Michael Leitch and No. 8 Hendrik Tui.

“In the backline Craig Wing comes back into the side as does Kenki (Fukuoka) and those two guys are looming as important players for the World Cup as well,” Jones said.

Wing partners Male Sa’u in midfield with Kosei Ono and Fumiaki Tanaka resuming their partnership at halfback.

Kotaro Matsushima and Fukuoka are picked on the wing with Ayumu Goromaru at fullback.

Shinya Makabe is named on the bench following a long lay-off due to injury. The big lock is joined by front-row replacements Takayuki Watanabe, Takeshi Kizu and Hiroshi Yamashita, with Hayden Hopgood the other reserve forward.

The replacement backs, meanwhile, are Atsushi Hiwasa, Harumichi Tatekawa and Karne Hesketh.

“We want to play the game at tempo, want to move the ball around and hopefully the fans will enjoy the game,” Jones said.

*Captain